...understanding of the book, and finally discuss why this paragraph stood out for me. It was quite a difficult task choosing a paragraph, but eventually found myself recalling Candor and Maturity throughout my reading. The author talks about many leadership qualities, but seems to touch on Condor and the relation to good leadership. Condor is an interesting word that I have associated with leadership, but never on this scale “Candor is the key to self knowledge” (Bennis, 2009, pg. 34). This very simple sentence carried a lot of weight of my understanding of leadership. Dr. Bennis moved on to discuss maturity of leadership, by writing; “Maturity is important to a leader because leading is not simply showing the way or issuing orders. Every leader needs to have experienced and grown through following- learning to be dedicated, observant, capable of working with and learning from others, never servile, always truth-full. Having located these qualities in themselves, leader can encourage them in others” (Bennis, 2009, pg. 35). This really stood out because the entire book seems to be circling this paragraph, while looking at different leaders of our time. I grew up in Nairobi, Kenya for 17 years, before coming to the United States in 1997, to continue my aeronautical studies at CSP- Los Angeles. I was very...
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...Dr. Warren Bennis' book, On Becoming a Leader, is a great book about leadership and does a great job defining how leaders are developed. Dr. Bennis states knowing thyself then, means separating who you are and who you want to be from what the world thinks you are and wants you to be (Bennis, 2009, p.5). Knowing yourself was an amazing chapter and forced me to reflect on how I progressed and matured over the years. The process of knowing your self doesn’t begin at the same time for everyone, but when it begins it helps you have a stronger sense of self. Throughout my life I have climbed many mountains, some of which I wasn’t prepared for. I am aware that everyone climbs mountains, hills, and faces obstacles in their lives, I believe the success of the battles I have won have built a great foundation upon which I can succeed and become a great leader. It was in those moments when I thought I had nothing left that I learned when you make it through one trail it becomes easier the next time around, forcing you to grow and evolve. Having a child at 19 was the beginning stages of getting to know myself. I was forced to grow up and become a mother. I would not accept mediocrity as my destined end so I begin to find who I was and strive to become better. Being a young parent is not easy by any means, but thriving through the chaos and succeeding is one of the most gratifying moments in my life. As I look back I now understand the trials that I have faced have allowed me to have...
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...potential lies only in working side by side with. Majority of the women entrepreneurs are dynamic in the leadership, style management, are capable of contributing much more and they are interested to keep their knowledge up-to-date of industry and management. Becoming an entrepreneur is an evolution of encountering, assessing, and reacting to a series of experiences, situations, and events produced by political, economic, social and cultural changes. A bold vision creates meaning, not just as a focus for the visionary, but equally as aspiration for the rest of us. We are then able to see ourselves in the vision, and actions begin to manifest themselves as a result. As Professor of Business Administration and leadership studies pioneer Warren Bennis puts it, “The leader’s goal is not mere explanation or clarification but the creation of meaning.” Nothing rejuvenates an old, tired, or demoralized organization like going through the process of creating a bold vision. Leading a diverse constituency to create a shared vision was the task before me in 1996 when I became national president of Planned Parenthood. It spurred a decade of growth and innovation that is still bearing fruit today. Endurance is characteristic of a bold vision. It continues to compel action even after the originator has gone. And even if its goals weren’t 100% achieved. Risks of being a visionary Speaking the truth of one’s vision takes courage. It’s risky. If you’re too far ahead of your time, or if...
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...have the ability to determine which function is considered necessary. Effort must be taken not to spate the two, as it often is problematic. However, much time is spent delineating the differences. Basically, the manager’s job is to plan, organize, and coordinate. The leader’s job is to inspire and motivate. Warren Bennis listed the differences in his 1989 book “On Becoming a Leader” [ (Bennis, On Becoming a Leader, 1989) ]. The manager administers; the leader innovates. Leaders are often visionaries and see the big picture while it is the role of the manager’s role to utilize the tools necessary to achieve the leader’s innovation. The manager is a copy but the leader is an original. Managers often do not originate new ideas but ensure a successful outcome. Thus, the manager maintains and the leader develops (Bennis, On Becoming a Leader, 1989). The manager focuses on systems and structure while the leader focuses on people. Manager will rely upon control, but the leader inspires trust. Short-range is the view of a manager and a leader has a long-range perspective. The manager will ask how and when but the leader asks what and why (Bennis, On Becoming a Leader, 1989). A manager has his...
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...when adversity strikes. They find the ways and means to carry on. Sometimes, it takes a trip to hell and back to really open your eyes. And sometimes, really opening your eyes can change your whole life. (Pirouz, 2015). This essay will focus to explain how past life experiences shape leaders’ character and skills in order to leverage on adversity. Only leaders that take risks and make mistakes have the experience acumen to face hardship, overcome it or learn from it. According to Bennis, “Experiences aren’t truly yours until you think about them, analyze them, examine them, question them, reflect on them, and finally understand them. The point, once again, is to use your experiences rather than being used by them, to be the designer, not the design, so the experiences empower rather than imprison. (Bennis, 2009) His fundamental tenet is that leaders are made, not born. The worst problem they can face, says Bennis, is “early success. There's no opportunity to learn from adversity and problems”. (Bennis, 2008) As humans, we define our strengths and weakness in terms of experiences. We describe ourselves by how able we are handling certain situations or learning from them. Only exploring in depth these situations and dissecting the outcome, we will be able to understand our behavior and attitudes toward adversity. By looking back and digging in the past to find life experiences that shaped me into the individual that I am today, I discovered the roots of my current behavior. Immersing...
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...Apakah Prof. Dr. Erry Yulian Triblas Adesta adalah Rektor UI berikutnya? oleh Calenia Letitia R H (1006774764) Prof. Dr. Erry Yulian Triblas Adesta merupakan dosen di Universitas Gunadarma Jakarta sekaligus menduduki jabatan sebagai Deputy Dean (Postgraduate & Research) di International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Dengan keahlian serta berbagai pengalaman yang beliau miliki, saat ini, beliau mencalonkan diri sebagai bakal calon Rektor UI untuk periode 2012-2017. Menurut saya, Prof. Dr. Erry Yulian Triblas Adesta merupakan seorang bakal calon Rektor UI yang kompeten. Melihat tes yang dilakukan Townsend dan Bennis, Townsend mengelompokkan pemimpin menjadi empat tipe. Tipe yang pertama adalah ambisius, pemimpin dengan tipe ini cenderung menarik perhatian, suka mengadu, biasanya sukses mendapatkan promosi, otoriter, insentif, dan kurang peduli dengan orang lain. Berdasarkan sumber yang tersedia, Prof. Dr Erry Yulian Triblas Adesta tidak masuk kedalam tipe ini karena beliau bukan merupakan pemimpin yang otoriter serta beliau adalah pemimpin yang peduli dengan orang lain. Beliau sangat fokus terhadap peluang mahasiswa untuk dapat memperoleh beasiswa, bukan hanya itu, beliau bersama dengan rekan-rekan dosen lainnya, antara lain Dr. Afzeri, Dr. Ari Legowo, Dr. Rifki Muhida, Dr. Riza Muhida, Dr. Ahmad Unggul Priantoro dan Dr. Talib Hassan Hashim telah membentuk suatu wadah untuk menghimpun para dosen dan peneliti di Malaysia yang diberi nama Indonesian Lecturer and Researcher...
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...Management and Leadership The debate over the differences between management and leadership has stoked a continuing intense argument over the past fifty years for academicians and industrialists alike. In acknowledging, the contrast between the two, Bennis, (2010) illustrates these differences, whilst revealing how they overlap. He explores the effects of both functions on organisations and explains that a mixture of elements from both management and leadership as the most fruitful way of apportioning with subordinates. Bennis identified the roles of a manager has one who initiates, administers, maintains, and focuses on methods. Desires immediate results, relies on control, questions how and when, and has a focus on the status quo. Leadership, however, are those who originate, innovate, develop, initiate, people focused and have an extended view. They also inspire trust; question why and what, have their focus on the possibilities, and challenge the status quo (Bennis, 2010). Kanter (2004) argues that leadership and management has many interpretations with multiple dimensions, and as such, is a topic that is difficult to depict. The philosophical influence of leadership can be demonstrated from the copious military, sporting, social and business accomplishments, which have emerged throughout history. Leadership is more than an assortment of abilities; it is dependent on numerous personal qualities that are difficult to see yet are very powerful. Management was formed...
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...exception but she is the reality of most people who perceive change as bad. As a leader your job is to lead your team members from change avoidance to change acceptance (Bennis, 2009). To understand you first need to know the 5 components of change (Conner, 1993): • Denial — cannot foresee any major changes • Anger at others for what they're putting me through • Bargaining — work out solutions, keep everyone happy • Depression — is it worth it? doubt, need support • Acceptance — the reality Joan has become comfortable; she has performed the same tasks for 15 years. She is at a point of her career where she feels secure and now she fears losing control, looking inept at her job, taking on a harder task. As a leader you must change the Joan’s attitude from avoidance into acceptance. This is best accomplished by changing avoidance questions and statements into acceptance questions. Focus on the benefits that change will provide both the organization and Joan; explain the problem and how this solution will correct the problem; be compassionate and open up the floor for questions; immerse Joan in the implementation; and make sure all departments are all on the same page so there is no lapse in transition (Bennis, 2009). References Conner, D. (1993). Managing at the Speed of Change. New York: Random House. Bennis, W. (2009). On Becoming a Leader (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Basic...
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...|Admin 515 | |Final Leadership Platform | | | | | |By Topper Johnson | |8/5/2008 | Topper Johnson Admin 515 8/5/2008 Assign# 8 Final Leadership Platform Introduction Success as a leader arises from who we really are... our own reality is difficult to disguise over the short term, and impossible to fake over the long term. (Michaelson xi) This is a statement that all leaders should take a minute to ponder because it transcends the most significant personal characteristics that we all value in a leader. I believe that our leaders have to be genuine and know who they really are as a leader. A leader has to be able to bridge the gap between their ideal self and their real self because their strengths as a leader lie at the intersection...
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...Leadership does not always need a management position. A manager can be a leader if they have the leadership traits. A manager must provide leadership and must perform all five functions; Planning, Organizing, Directing, Staffing and Controlling (Bateman & Snell, 2011) A leader is one who influences the actions and work of others to achieve goals. Managers are expected to be the leaders so that others willingly carry out and accept guidance. There are personal traits that all good leaders have, directness, kindness, and a willingness to work alongside others. A good leader would not ask others to do something they themselves are not willing to do. Bennis tells us that; the manager directs, the leader invents. The manager sustains, the leader develops. The manager accepts the way things are done, the leader challenges the status quo. (Bennis, 2009) Leadership, like any other skill, must be learned. An organization can start cultivating managers by observing its employees to determine which can be leaders, then managers. An organization should look for individuals who have a vision for how to improve things. An individual whose efforts improve the output of a group. An individual who is direct and communicates well. Training those who display leadership qualities will build new managers. This can be done by teaching skills such as; effective communication skills, conflict resolution skills and time management skills. Mentoring programs are the best way to cultivate new managers. Giving...
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...My name is Dominique McLeod and I reside in Atlanta, Georgia. I am one of four children, the child of two loving parents, God-fearing, a genuine person, and most importantly striving to be the leader I am destined to be. Attending college has never been just an option; it was a must. That is why I am making every effort to make that come true. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” This quote by American Scholar Warren Bennis, plainly states the goal of a true leader. A true leader has a goal, a vision as Bennis put it. The task set before that leader is to make the vision come true (a reality) by any means necessary. There are certain qualities needed to make sure the vision is successfully turned into a reality. Hard work, dedication, and perseverance are the three main qualities among many that act as a catalyst to the leader’s vision. When these qualities are put into action, the impossible becomes the possible and as Warren Bennis put it, the vision becomes a reality. One obstacle, that in my life I classified as the impossible, was attending the first charter school of Gwinnett County, The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, & Technology. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) is a charter school that was established in 2007. It focuses on the higher end of the academic spectrum in providing exceptional students with challenging curriculum and extensive leadership responsibilities in order to prepare the students...
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...It is a well-known fact that a continued education is a necessity for success in our fast-paced world. It is important for professionals to stay informed and stay educated in order to keep up with the rate at which technology is progressing. Obtaining an education virtually is one of the many options that students have when choosing to move forward in their education. There has been an ongoing debate as to whether an online education is as valuable or as creditable as the traditional way of learning. Some even believe that the traditional classroom will lose its demand due to the gaining popularity of online learning. Ryan Lytle address the critics that believe that online education is of a lower standard than the traditional learning method. A study performed by a nonprofit research company, Ithaka S+R, tested this theory. The findings from this study were that the students who participated in interactive online learning or hybrid learning produced equal or better results than the students who learned in a traditional environment. These results and others lead Mr. Lytle to believe that blending online learning with in-class learning may be a more effective way of learning that just one or the other. Johnson says, “Teacher quality is still a very important part of success in an online course, but so, too is the course design” (Lytle, 2012). Kathleen Kingsbury writes about the massive growth of online education, its affordability, as well as its value. The University...
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...personal life I’ve been fortunate to have had many excellent leaders but the person that stands out for me as the best leader is my father Mel C. Some of the attributes that resonate about my father which coincide with Warren Bennis’ article are his strong ethical values, genuine candor, openness, and unique ability to make people feel at ease which translates to individuals (whether it was family, friends, co-workers, or mere acquaintances) seeking advice and/or guidance in what might be seen as a common day to day problems or unique challenges faced during difficult times. Some people say that my father has always been a leader due to his military ranking or ability to manage 6 boys and one girl at home ☺… but his true leadership ability comes from his transparency and ability to lead by example. He is not a military title he is a genuinely caring, humble, and determined individual who seeks the best and expects the best in everyone and from everyone he comes across. His unique ability to inspire others --- even when it means “tough love” honest --- to work hard and smart, to overcome obstacles, and to “get up” fast and strong when one falls are just a few of the items that makes my father such a unique leader. In today’s society as mentioned by Bennis (2008), greater transparency brings bewilderment as well as enlightment, confusion as well as clarity. It is in this sentence that I believe “true” leaders arise… in the ability to “make sense” of the overwhelming amount of...
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...Leadership courses ESI have managed to collect a running tally on their responses. Below are the top 10 in rank order according to frequency listed. Inspires a Shared Vision An effective project leader is often described as having a vision of where to go and the ability to articulate it. Visionaries thrive on change and being able to draw new boundaries. It was once said that a leader is someone who "lifts us up, gives us a reason for being and gives the vision and spirit to change." Visionary leaders enable people to feel they have a real stake in the project. They empower people to experience the vision on their own. According to Bennis "They offer people opportunities to create their own vision, to explore what the vision will mean to their jobs and lives, and to envision their future as part of the vision for the organisation." (Bennis, 1997) Good Communicator The ability to communicate with people at all levels is almost always named as the second most important skill by project managers and team members. Project leadership calls for clear communication about goals, responsibility, performance, expectations and feedback.! There is a great deal of value placed on openness and directness. The project leader is also the team's link to the larger organisation. The leader must have the ability to effectively negotiate and use persuasion when necessary to ensure the success of the team and project. Through effective communication, project leaders support individual...
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...readings I have found that there are three fatal areas in which leaders set up their own failures and ultimately their demises. Knowing Others, Contextual Intelligence, and The Self, are easily misunderstood and forgotten and create failure and compromise. Mr. Bennis refers to Knowing Others as the “Caesars Problem”. It comes from the Shakespeare play called Julius Caesar. It is described as leaders exhibiting arrogance after many years of leadership, which leads to a communication disconnect with subordinates and coworkers. A great example of this would be the case of Margaret Thatcher. Margaret was the leader of U.K for just over a decade. She had a multitude of successes and was widely loved by all her citizens. But in her last year she plagued by economic problems and political infighting which led to her demise. Many say it was her...
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